System and method for providing a user interface with search query broadening

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing a user interface with search query broadening is described. A query defining a search executable on potentially retrievable information is accepted. The query is parsed. A broadened query is provided. At least one of the broadened query and results of a search executed on the broadened query is presented.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to query processing and, inparticular, to a system and method for providing a user interface withsearch query broadening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although the Internet traces back to the late 1960s, the widespreadavailability and acceptance of personal computing and internetworkinghave resulted in the explosive growth and unprecedented advances ininformation sharing technologies. In particular, the Worldwide Web(“Web”) has revolutionized accessibility to untold volumes ofinformation in stored electronic form to a worldwide audience, includingwritten, spoken (audio) and visual (imagery and video) information, bothin archived and real-time formats. In short, the Web has provideddesktop access to every connected user to a virtually unlimited libraryof information in almost every language worldwide.

Information exchange on the Web operates under a client-server model.Individual clients execute Web content retrieval and presentationapplications, typically in the form of Web browsers. The Web browserssend request messages for Web content to centralized Web servers, whichfunction as data storage and retrieval repositories. The Web serversparse the request messages and return the requested Web content inresponse messages.

Search engines have evolved in tempo with the increased usage of the Webto enable users to find and retrieve relevant Web content in anefficient and timely manner. As the amount and types of Web content hasincreased, the sophistication and accuracy of search engines haslikewise improved. Generally, search engines strive to provide thehighest quality results in response to a search query. However,determining quality is difficult, as the relevance of retrieved Webcontent is inherently subjective and dependent upon the interests,knowledge and attitudes of the user.

Existing methods used by search engines are based on matching searchquery terms to terms indexed from Web pages. More advanced methodsdetermine the importance of retrieved Web content using, for example, ahyperlink structure-based analysis, such as described in S. Brin and L.Page, “The Anatomy of a Large-Scale Hypertextual Search Engine,” (1998)and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,999, issued Sep. 4, 2001 to Page, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

A typical search query scenario begins with either a natural languagequestion or individual terms, often in the form of keywords, beingsubmitted to a search engine. The search engine executes a searchagainst a data repository describing information characteristics ofpotentially retrievable Web content and identifies the candidate Webpages. Searches can often return thousands or even millions of results,so most search engines typically rank or score only a subset of the mostpromising results. The top Web pages are then presented to the user,usually in the form of Web content titles, hyperlinks, and otherdescriptive information, such as snippets of text taken from the Webpages.

Providing quality search results is complicated by several factors.First, a given search query can often be expressed in multiple formsbased on the individual terms, which constitute the search query. Forinstance, a particular term may have synonyms, alternate spellings,share a common root form, or have a semantic meaning similar to otherwords. Likewise, a particular term may share a conceptual meaning withother related words. Moreover, an individual term could be part of acompound term, which, when combined with one or more other terms, mayalso have multiple forms.

In addition, the choice of terms selected by a user submitting a searchquery can affect search result quality. A user may simply fail torealize the scope of the search and could provide a set of individualterms that inadvertently limit the search to a portion of potentiallyresponsive results. Similarly, the user could possess a limitedvocabulary due to, for instance, an unfamiliarity with the subjectmatter of the search, and consequently poorly frame or evenmischaracterize the query. Finally, the user might misunderstand thetechniques employed by a particular search engine and provide terms thatare ill-suited to the search engine.

Accordingly, there is a need for an approach to broadening a searchquery. Broadening search characteristics may be used, such as synonyms,alternate spellings, terms that share a common root form, or have asemantic meaning similar to other words, as well as searchcharacteristics that share a conceptual meaning with other relatedwords. The broadened search scope can result in increased searchquality.

There is a further need for an approach to providing a user interfacepresenting broadened search queries. In one example, individual searchcharacteristics occurring as part of a compound term would be identifiedand considered when providing one or more broadening searchcharacteristics. Such broadened search characteristics may be flexiblypresented to the user in multiple display formats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment provides a system and method for providing a userinterface with search query broadening. A query defining a searchexecutable on potentially retrievable information is accepted. The queryis parsed. A broadened query is provided. At least one of the broadenedquery and results of a search executed on the broadened query ispresented.

Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, wherein are described embodiments of the invention by wayof illustrating the best mode contemplated for carrying out theinvention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other anddifferent embodiments and its several details are capable ofmodifications in various obvious respects, all without departing fromthe spirit and the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative innature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with thecolor drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for providing a userinterface with search query broadening, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a computer system for use in thesystem of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3B are diagrams showing, by way of example, a search querypresented relative to broadened search characteristics determined inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a screen shot showing, by way of example, a Web pagecontaining search results retrieved through broadened searchcharacteristics.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method for providing a user interfacewith search query broadening, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a routine for broadening a query foruse in the method of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a routine for presenting a broadenedquery for use in the method of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

System Overview

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system 10 for providing a userinterface with search query broadening, in accordance with the presentinvention. A plurality of individual clients 12 are communicativelyinterfaced to a server 11 via an internetwork 13, such as the Internet,or other form of communications network, as would be recognized by oneskilled in the art. The individual clients 12 are operated by users 19who transact requests for Web content and other operations through theirrespective client 12.

In general, each client 12 can be any form of computing platformconnectable to a network, such as the internetwork 13, and capable ofinteracting with application programs. Exemplary examples of individualclients include, without limitation, personal computers, digitalassistances, “smart” cellular telephones and pagers, lightweightclients, workstations, “dumb” terminals interfaced to an applicationserver, and various arrangements and configurations thereof, as would berecognized by one skilled in the art. The internetwork 13 includesvarious topologies, configurations, and arrangements of networkinterconnectivity components arranged to interoperatively couple withenterprise, wide area and local area networks and include, withoutlimitation, conventionally wired, wireless, satellite, optical, andequivalent network technologies, as would be recognized by one skilledin the art.

For Web content exchange and, in particular, to transact searches, eachclient 12 executes a Web browser 18 (“Web browser”), which preferablyimplements a graphical user interface and through which search queriesare sent to a Web server 20 executing on the server 11, as furtherdescribed below with reference to FIG. 2. Each search query describes oridentifies information, generally in the form of Web content, which ispotentially retrievable via the Web server 20. The search query providessearch characteristics, typically expressed as individual terms, such askeywords and the like, and attributes, such as language, characterencoding and so forth, which enables a search engine 21, also executingon the server 11, to identify and send back Web pages. Other styles,forms or definitions of search queries and characteristics are feasible,as would be recognized by one skilled in the art.

The Web pages are sent back to the Web browser 18 for presentation,usually in the form of Web content titles, hyperlinks, and otherdescriptive information, such as snippets of text taken from the Webpages. The user can view or access the Web pages on the graphical userinterface and can input selections and responses in the form of typedtext, clicks, or both. The server 11 maintains an attached storagedevice 15 in which Web content 22 is maintained. The Web content 22could also be maintained remotely on other Web servers (not shown)interconnected either directly or indirectly via the internetwork 13 andwhich are preferably accessible by each client 12.

The search engine 21 preferably identifies the Web content 22 bestmatching the search characteristics to provide high quality Web pages,such as described in S. Brin and L. Page, “The Anatomy of a Large-ScaleHypertextual Search Engine” (1998) and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,999,issued Sep. 4, 2001 to Page, the disclosures of which are incorporatedby reference. In identifying matching Web content 22, the search engine21 operates on information characteristics describing potentiallyretrievable Web content, as further described below with reference toFIG. 2. Note the functionality provided by the server 20, including theWeb server 20 and search engine 21, could be provided by a loosely- ortightly-coupled distributed or parallelized computing configuration, inaddition to a uniprocessing environment.

The individual computer systems, including server 11 and clients 12,include general purpose, programmed digital computing devices consistingof a central processing unit (processors 13 and 16, respectively),random access memory (memories 14 and 17, respectively), non-volatilesecondary storage 15, such as a hard drive or CD ROM drive, network orwireless interfaces, and peripheral devices, including user interfacingmeans, such as a keyboard and display. Program code, including softwareprograms, and data is loaded into the RAM for execution and processingby the CPU and results are generated for display, output, transmittal,or storage. The Web browser 18 is an HTTP-compatible Web browser, suchas the Internet Explorer, licensed by Microsoft Corporation, Redmond,Wash.; Navigator, licensed by Netscape Corporation, Mountain View,Calif.; or a Mozilla or JavaScript enabled browser, as are known in theart.

Computer System Components

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a computer system 30 for use in thesystem 10 of FIG. 1. The computer system 30 includes a processor 31 andvisual display 32, such as a computer monitor or liquid crystal diode(LCD) display, as are known in the art. The computer system 30 executesa Web browser 18 (shown in FIG. 1), which preferably implements agraphical user interface 37. Visual Web content is output within adisplay area defined on the graphical user interface 37 while userinputs are generally input both within the display area and withinspecified user input regions. Textual user inputs are received via akeyboard 33. Linear, non-textual inputs are received via an optionalpointing device 34, such as a mouse, trackball, track pad, or arrowkeys. Similarly, voice- and sound-based inputs are received via amicrophone 35. Visual outputs are displayed via the graphical userinterface 37 on the visual display 32, while audio outputs are played onthe speakers 36. In particular, search queries are entered as userinputs and each search query is dynamically broadened, as furtherdescribed below with reference to FIG. 6. The broadened search terms canbe presented, generally as visual Web content, as further describedbelow with reference to FIG. 7, and executed. Other forms of computercomponents, including processor 31, visual display 32, and input andoutput devices could be used, as would be recognized by one skilled inthe art.

Sample Screen Shot

FIGS. 3A-3B are diagrams showing, by way of example, a search query 40presented relative to broadened search characteristics, such as queryterms 43, 44, determined in accordance with the present invention. Theexample search query 40 constitutes a list of the individual terms 41consisting of “car,” “repair,” and “help.” One or more of the individualterms 41 are broadened to enable the search engine 21 generate searchresults using a query framed more loosely or broadly than with theoriginal unbroadened terms 41.

“Broadening” refers to modifying the scope of the search query 40, suchthat the search results reflect an increased breadth, rather than anarrowing, limiting, or otherwise restricting of the search scope.Broadening can include modifying, replacing, supplementing, removing, orotherwise restating one or more search characteristics, such as terms41, but need not be so limited. Search characteristics include queryterms, concepts and other forms of information specified in or derivablefrom a query to help identify the content sought. Broadening can alsoinclude rewriting or modifying the query 40 either in whole or in part.As an example, broadening can include providing synonyms, alternatespellings, common root forms, or terms having a similar semantic meaningor terms sharing a conceptual meaning. In addition, broadening caninclude altering the query scope through query modification, such as byexcluding a broadened term in an initial search and evaluating thesearch results relative to the excluded term using categorical orclustered distinctions. Broadening can also include, for example,determining a semantic or conceptual meaning of a query, or one or moresearch characteristics in a query, and broadening the query based onrelated semantic or conceptual meanings; such broadening may, but neednot, be performed using related search characteristics. Consequently,broadening encompasses analyzing the query 40 and introducing changes toeffect broader search result scope and increased search quality.

By way of example, in a simplest form, one or more words related to atleast one of the original terms 41 could be disjunctively added to theoriginal query 40. The search engine 21 would then execute the expandedquery using the broadened list of terms. For instance, the individualterm 41 of “car” could be supplemented with “vehicle” and the searchengine 21 would execute a search on a query consisting of the terms“car,” “vehicle,” “repair,” and “help.”

By way of further example, the search engine 21 could initially executea query, which excludes an original term 41, and map the search resultsinto categories of related terms associated with the excluded originalterm 41. For instance, the individual term 41 of “help” could beexcluded and the search engine 21 would execute a search on a queryconsisting only of the terms “car” and “repair.” The search engine 21would then map the resultant search results into specific categories ofrelated terms associated with the term of “help.” Alternatively, thesearch engine 21 could form clusters of search results, rather thanmapping the search results into categories. Clusters group searchresults at a conceptual level, whereas categories group at a literallevel of related terms

The foregoing approaches to broadening the original terms 41 areprovided merely as examples of broadening techniques and are not meantto limit or restrict the scope of the invention. Other broadeningtechniques could be used in addition to or in combinations with theforegoing techniques, which can be selected and combined in variousarrangements, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art.

Referring first to FIG. 3A, the individual term 41 of “car” has beenbroadened to include the list of broadened terms 43 consisting of“cars,” “autos,” and “auto.” Each of the sample broadened terms havebeen selected from a set of words having a synonymous, alternatespelling, common root, or similar semantic meaning, although otherselections of broadened terms could be used in addition to or incombination with the foregoing words set, which can be selected andcombined in various styles and arrangements, as would be recognized byone skilled in the art.

Referring next to FIG. 3B, the individual term 41 of “help” has beenbroadened to include the list of broadened terms 44 consisting of“guide,” “tips,” “tutorial,” and “problem.” Each of the sample broadenedterms have been selected from a set of words having a related conceptualmeaning, although other selections of broadened terms could be used inaddition to or in combination with the foregoing words set, which can beselected and combined in various styles and arrangements, as would berecognized by one skilled in the art.

In a further embodiment, each individual term 41 being broadened couldbe provided as a hyperlink, either with or without the broadened termslist 43, 44. In list form, each broadened term 43, 44 forms a part ofthe broadened query upon selection by the user. In non-list form, eachselected term 41 is broadened upon selection by the user.

In a further embodiment (not shown), individual terms 41 are logicallygrouped with one or more other individual terms 41 to form a compoundterm and a set of broadened terms is determined for the compound term.For example, the term 41 of “hot” followed by the term of “dog” could belogically grouped to form the compound term “hot dog” and a list ofbroadened terms could include the term 41 of “hamburger,” “wiener,” and“sausage.” Other forms of identifying and combining individual terms 41to logically form compound and complex terms are possible, as would berecognized by one skilled in the art.

Both broadened terms lists 43, 44 are presented as a static list,although other forms of presentation, including a menu of selectableterms, a list of selectable terms, a set of checkboxes, and a set ofhyperlinks corresponding to each broadened term, either with or withouta broadened terms list, could be used, as would be recognized by oneskilled in the art. Note that such a user interface allowing selectionof one or more choices may also be employed to restrict or focusqueries, as opposed to broadening queries. For example, from a querycontaining the term “vegetarian,” the choices “ovo lacto,” “lacto” and“vegan” may be generated, and a user may be allowed to select one ormore of the choices to focus an original query.

Finally, a “select all” option 42 is provided supplemental to theindividual terms list 41. Selection of the “select all” option 42triggers the selection of each of the broadened terms lists 43, 44,although other forms of full or partial broadened terms selection arepossible, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art.

Sample Screen Shot

FIG. 4 is a screen shot showing, by way of example, a Web page 50containing search results 52 retrieved through broadened searchcharacteristics. The search query constitutes a list of individual terms41 consisting of “car,” “repair,” and “help.” The example search results52 match the list of terms consisting of “auto,” “guide,” and“problems,” reflecting a broadening of the terms 41 of “car” and “help.”An operator ‘˜’ is prepended to the terms “car” and “help” to expresslyrequest query broadening with respect to the indicated terms.Optionally, a delimiter, such as the ‘/’ character, can be provided withthe operator ‘˜’ to signal an ordinary meaning with respect to theoperator. For example, the term “/˜car” would signal that the termshould be treated by the search engine 21 as consisting of “/˜car”without query broadening.

In a further embodiment, every search characteristic, including term 41,in a search query 40 could be automatically broadened by including atleast one occurrence of the operator within the search query 40.

In a further embodiment, the use of an operator is optional and searchquery broadening is instead requested through the use of hyperlinksassociated with one or more individual search characteristics, includingterms 41. Thus, a search characteristic would be broadened uponselection of the associated hyperlink by the user. Other forms ofoperators and delimiters are possible, as would be recognized by oneskilled in the art.

In a further embodiment, the use of the operator ‘˜’ includes anassignable strength, which could be, for example, indicated throughrepetition of the operator or through the use of alternative operators.For example, the term 41 of “˜˜help” appearing with two occurrences ofthe operator ‘˜’ would indicate that the term 41 should be broadenedfurther than indicated by the occurrence of a single operator ‘˜.’ Thetypes of further broadening include broadening based on categories orclusters of related search characteristics, as well as other forms ofbroadening, as are known in the art. In addition, other types and formsof operators to indicate an assignable strength are possible, as wouldbe recognized by one skilled in the art.

Method Overview

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method 40 for providing a userinterface with search query broadening, in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 40 is described as a sequence of processoperations or steps, which can be executed, for instance, by a searchengine 21 (shown in FIG. 1).

A search query 40 is accepted from a user 19 and parsed into individualsearch characteristics (block 61). The search query 40 is broadened(block 62), as further described below with reference to FIG. 6. Forexample, one or more of the search characteristics in the search query40 could be broadened. If specified (block 63), the broadened searchquery is then presented to the user 19 (block 64), as further describedbelow with reference to FIG. 7. Following any further querymodifications by the user 19, the query is executed (block 65) toidentify Web content 22 best matching the search characteristics, suchas described in S. Brin and L. Page, “The Anatomy of a Large-ScaleHypertextual Search Engine” (1998) and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,999,issued Sep. 6, 2001 to Page, referenced above. Other types and forms ofquery execution are possible, as is known in the art. Finally, thesearch results 52 are presented via the browser 18 (block 66).Typically, only a part of the search results 52 need be presented sincethe full set of search results 52 can exceed available presentationspace on the browser 18. The method then terminates.

Broadening Query

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a routine 70 for broadening a query foruse in the method of FIG. 5. The purpose of this routine is to identify,broaden and provide a broadened search query 40, such as by broadeningindividual search characteristics occurring in a search query 40,including query terms 41.

Each search characteristic in the search query 40 is iterativelyprocessed (blocks 71-77) as follows, although other forms ofnon-iterative processing are possible, as would be recognized by oneskilled in the art. Each search characteristic is evaluated to determineif an operator expressly requesting query broadening, such as anoperator ‘˜,’ is included (block 72). If no operator is included, thesearch characteristic is not broadened and the next searchcharacteristic is processed (block 77). If an operator is included, thesearch characteristic is further evaluated to determine if a delimitersignaling ordinary meaning with respect to the operator is included(block 73). If a delimiter is included, the search characteristic is notbroadened and the next search characteristic is processed (block 77). Ifno delimiter is included, the search characteristic is evaluated todetermine if the search characteristic should be logically grouped withone or more other search characteristics in the search query 40 to forma compound search characteristic (block 74). If the searchcharacteristic should not be logically grouped, broadening searchcharacteristics are provided for just the individual searchcharacteristic (block 75). Otherwise, if the search characteristicshould be logically grouped, broadening search characteristics areprovided for the compound search characteristic (block 76).

In the described embodiment, the set of broadening searchcharacteristics are generated by receiving one or more example searchcharacteristics corresponding to each search characteristic to bebroadened. Weights are assigned to each example search characteristicand a list of broadened search characteristics is formed based on theexample search characteristics and the weights assigned to each examplesearch characteristic, such as described in related U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/425,819, filed Apr. 30, 2003, pending, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Other approaches togenerating the broadening search characteristics set are possible, aswould be recognized by one skilled in the art.

Note other approaches to broadening could be used to modify the scope ofthe search query 40, such that the search results reflect an increasedbreadth, rather than a narrowing, limiting, or otherwise restricting ofthe search scope, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B.Following search query broadening (blocks 75 and 76), the next searchcharacteristic is processed (block 77), after which the routine returns.

Presenting a Broadened Query

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a routine 60 for presenting a broadenedquery for use in the method of FIG. 5. The purpose of this routine is toflexibly present the set of broadened search characteristics to the userrelative to the set of search characteristics from the original searchquery 40.

Each search characteristic in the search query, both original andbroadened, is iteratively processed (blocks 81-94) as follows, althoughother forms of non-iterative processing are possible, as would berecognized by one skilled in the art. If a hyperlink presentation formis desired (block 82), the search characteristic is presented as ahyperlink (block 83), either with or without a broadened searchcharacteristics list. In list form, each broadened search characteristicforms a part of the broadened query upon selection by the user. Innon-list form, each selected search characteristic is broadened uponselection by the user. If a static list presentation form is desired(block 84), the search characteristic is presented as part of a staticlist (block 84). If a menu presentation form is desired (block 86), thesearch characteristic is presented as part of a menu of selectablesearch characteristics (block 84) and the search characteristic forms apart of the broadened query upon selection by the user. If a selectablelist presentation form is desired (block 88), the search characteristicis presented as part of a list of selectable search characteristics(block 89) and the search characteristic forms a part of the broadenedquery upon selection by the user. If a checkbox list presentation formis desired (block 90), each broadened search characteristic is presentedas part of a list of checkbox selectable search characteristics (block92) and the search characteristic forms a part of the broadened queryupon selection by the user. Finally, if a “select all” option isincluded (block 92), a “select all” option is presented (block 93).Alternative forms of presentation and selection can be provided inaddition to or in combination with the foregoing presentation forms,which can be selected and combined in various arrangements, as would berecognized by one skilled in the art. In addition, the broadened queryneed not necessarily be presented to the user and the broadened searchresults could be provided transparently without first presenting thebroadened search characteristics. Following presentation form selection(blocks 82, 84, 86, 88, 90), the next search characteristic 41 isprocessed (block 94), after which the routine returns.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described asreferenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art willunderstand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A system for providing a user interface with search query broadening,comprising: an input module accepting a query defining a searchexecutable on potentially retrievable information and parsing the query;a query broadening module providing a broadened query; and apresentation module presenting at least one of the broadened query andresults of a search executed on the broadened query.
 2. A systemaccording to claim 1, wherein providing the broadened query comprisesdetermining a meaning for at least a portion of the query.
 3. A systemaccording to claim 2, wherein providing the broadened query comprisesdetermining a related concept based on the meaning.
 4. A systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: an evaluation module providingat least one broadened search characteristic to the broadened query. 5.A system according to claim 1, further comprising: an evaluation moduleperforming at least one of modifying, replacing, supplementing,removing, or restating the at least one search characteristic.
 6. Asystem according to claim 1, further comprising: a selection moduleselecting at least one broadening search characteristic from a set ofwords having a synonymous, alternate spelling, common root, or similarsemantic meaning.
 7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:a selection module selecting at least one broadening searchcharacteristic from a set of words having a related conceptual meaning.8. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: an operatorprovided with at least one broadening search characteristic to requestquery broadening.
 9. A system according to claim 8, further comprising:a delimiter provided with the operator to signal ordinary meaning withrespect to the operator.
 10. A system according to claim 1, wherein thequery comprises a plurality of search characteristics, furthercomprising: a grouping module logically grouping at least two of thesearch characteristics into a compound search characteristic, whereinthe query broadening module provides at least one broadening searchcharacteristic for the compound search characteristic.
 11. A systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a hyperlink module presentingat least one search characteristic in the broadened query as ahyperlink, wherein the query broadening module forms the broadened querycomprising the at least one search characteristic responsive to aselection of the hyperlink.
 12. A system according to claim 11, furthercomprising: a display module displaying the broadened query as a staticlist responsive to a highlighting of the hyperlink.
 13. A systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the hyperlink module presents an optiontriggering selection of each such search characteristic in the broadenedquery as a hyperlink.
 14. A system according to claim 1, wherein thepresentation module presents at least one search characteristic in thebroadened query as at least one of a static list, a menu of selectablesearch characteristics, a set of checkboxes, and a list of selectablesearch characteristics.
 15. A system according to claim 1, wherein thepresentation module presents an option triggering selection of each suchsearch characteristic in the broadened query.
 16. A system according toclaim 1, further comprising: a query engine executing the broadenedquery.
 17. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: agraphical user interface interfacing the input module, the querybroadening module, and the presentation module.
 18. A method forproviding a user interface with search query broadening, comprising:accepting a query defining a search executable on potentiallyretrievable information and parsing the query; providing a broadenedquery; and presenting at least one of the broadened query and results ofa search executed on the broadened query.
 19. A method according toclaim 18, further comprising: providing the broadened query comprisesdetermining a meaning for at least a portion of the query.
 20. A methodaccording to claim 19, further comprising: providing the broadened querycomprises determining a related concept based on the meaning.
 21. Amethod according to claim 18, further comprising: providing at least onebroadened search characteristic to the broadened query.
 22. A methodaccording to claim 18, further comprising: performing at least one ofmodifying, replacing, supplementing, removing, or restating the at leastone search characteristic.
 23. A method according to claim 18, furthercomprising: selecting at least one broadening search characteristic froma set of words having a synonymous, alternate spelling, common root, orsimilar semantic meaning.
 24. A method according to claim 18, furthercomprising: selecting at least one broadening search characteristic froma set of words having a related conceptual meaning.
 25. A methodaccording to claim 18, further comprising: providing an operator with atleast one broadening search characteristic to request query broadening.26. A method according to claim 25, further comprising: providing adelimiter with the operator to signal ordinary meaning with respect tothe operator.
 27. A method according to claim 18, wherein the querycomprises a plurality of search characteristics, further comprising:logically grouping at least two of the search characteristics into acompound search characteristic; and providing at least one broadeningsearch characteristic for the compound search characteristic.
 28. Amethod according to claim 18, further comprising: presenting at leastone search characteristic in the broadened query as a hyperlink; andforming the broadened query comprising the at least one searchcharacteristic responsive to a selection of the hyperlink.
 29. A methodaccording to claim 28, further comprising: displaying the broadenedquery as a static list responsive to a highlighting of the hyperlink.30. A method according to claim 28, further comprising: presenting anoption triggering selection of each such search characteristic in thebroadened query as a hyperlink.
 31. A method according to claim 18,further comprising: presenting at least one search characteristic in thebroadened query as at least one of a static list, a menu of selectablesearch characteristics, a set of checkboxes, and a list of selectablesearch characteristics.
 32. A method according to claim 18, furthercomprising: presenting an option triggering selection of each suchsearch characteristic in the broadened query.
 33. A method according toclaim 18, further comprising: executing the broadened query.
 34. Amethod according to claim 18, further comprising: providing a graphicaluser interface interfacing the input module, the query broadeningmodule, and the presentation module.
 35. A computer-readable storagemedium holding code for performing the method according to claim
 18. 36.An apparatus for providing a user interface with search querybroadening, comprising: code for accepting a query defining a searchexecutable on potentially retrievable information and code for parsingthe query; code for providing a broadened query; and code for presentingat least one of the broadened query and results of a search executed onthe broadened query.